Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA U.S. is opening its first city center store in the U.S., marking the company’s ongoing transformation and commitment to bringing IKEA into the heart of urban areas. The ‘IKEA Planning Studio’ is scheduled to open in Manhattan in spring 2019.

San Diego — San Diego's fastest-growing, non-franchised breakfast eatery, Breakfast Republic, has grown exponentially since the opening of its first location in 2015, now boasting seven locations around San Diego, and more slated to arrive in the coming year in both San Diego and Orange County.

Santa Monica, Calif. — Veggie Grill, the go-to destination for plant-based, chef-inspired food, will launch its first-ever restaurant in New York City. Now operating 31 locations in California, Oregon, Washington and Illinois, Veggie Grill is slated to open its Flatiron District location in spring 2019.

New York City — The famous FAO Schwarz is announcing its international expansion plans as well as November 16, 2018 as the official opening date of the New York City flagship store located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Expansion plans include:

Sun Prairie, Wis. — Johnny's Italian Steakhouse plans to expand in the state of Wisconsin. Johnny's currently has a foothold in the state with two existing locations in Eau Claire and Middleton. Its newest restaurant is projected to open in Sun Prairie, Wis., in August. The growing restaurant franchise plans to bring five additional locations to the area over the next 3 years.

Paducah, Ky. — More than 3 years in the making, Dippin' Dots and Doc Popcorn will debut in China for the first time. America's leading flash frozen beaded ice cream company and the largest franchisor of fresh-popped popcorn plan to open six locations by this fall and a total of 10 by May 2019.

Toronto — UNIQLO, the global casual apparel retailer, plans to open four new Canadian stores in fall 2018, including three new stores in the greater Toronto area at Vaughan Mills, CF Markville and Square One Shopping Centre and one new store in the greater Vancouver area at Coquitlam Centre.

Scottsdale, Ariz. — P.F. Chang’s, the full-service Asian restaurant industry leader, has opened its first restaurant in China at the No1 Mall on the iconic Nanjing Road in Shanghai. P.F. Chang’s currently owns and operates more than 300 restaurants in 23 countries and territories.

Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisees Lagunita Franchise Operations, LLC (LFO). Over the next several years, the franchisee group is planning to open seven new restaurants throughout Montgomery, Ala. The first two locations are scheduled to open in 2019.

Houston — Salata, the Houston-based, fast-casual salad restaurant, has embarked on a multi-state expansion that will more than double its store portfolio to 200 and bring its customizable, tossed-to-order salads to new markets in Florida.

Westlake, Ohio — Casual dining franchise Quaker Steak & Lube® plans to expand its non-traditional development of the brand. Quaker Steak & Lube currently operates two airport locations — Pittsburgh International Airport and Cleveland International Airport — and franchisees at both locations have reported significant growth and return on investment.

Dublin, Calif. — Ross Stores recently opened 23 Ross Dress for Less® and six dd's DISCOUNTS® stores across 14 different states in February and March. These new locations are part of the company's plans to add approximately 100 new stores — 75 Ross and 25 dd's DISCOUNTS locations — during fiscal 2018.

Davenport, Iowa — Fashion destination Dry Goods plans to open 12 additional national locations in 2018. The openings are part of the boutique retailer's nationwide growth plans to showcase the latest fashion trends to young shoppers across the country. Dry Goods USA is a subsidiary of Von Maur Department Store. The new stores will open at the following locations:

New York City — Subsequent to its successful re-launch in 2017, the iconic toy retailer FAO Schwarz continues its international growth strategy, propelling the brand into new global markets, channels and categories. FAO Schwarz also recently revealed plans to build a new 20,000-square-foot flagship location in the heart of New York's historic Rockefeller Plaza in time for the holiday 2018 season.

Dallas — By reestablishing the emotional connection that has existed with its fans for more than half a century, the Bennigan’s brand has just wrapped up another successful year, and higher growth is projected in 2018.

Syracuse, N.Y. — CoreLife Eatery, an active lifestyle restaurant with a healthy concept that has crazed the nation, is continuing its aggressive expansion with the addition of 40 new stores by the end of 2018, including 20 units in the brand’s home state of New York.

Boston — With eight existing locations, including six in Massachusetts and two in New Hampshire, 110 Grill looks to bring at least four additional locations by the end of 2017 and six in 2018. This accelerated growth is a testament to its “scratch kitchen” approach, upscale-casual concept and integration within communities.

New York City — ShopKeep, the top-rated tablet-to-cloud payments and point-of-sale platform chosen by over 25,000 independent retailers and restaurants, has closed a $65 million round of equity and debt…

Columbus, Ohio — Easton Town Center is undergoing a significant expansion that will feature local and national retailers, breweries, restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels and public event space. The expansion will…

Houston — Mattress Firm, Inc., the nation's leading specialty mattress retailer, has successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11. The company has closed more than 600 stores…

San Diego — San Diego's fastest-growing, non-franchised breakfast eatery, Breakfast Republic, has grown exponentially since the opening of its first location in 2015, now boasting seven locations around San Diego…

DeWitt, Mich. — Scott Milnes, president of DENTCO®, the first Exterior Services Management® (ESM) company in the U.S., has announced new features available on the DENTCO Verified (DV) mobile application.

Charlotte, N.C. — Diversey, a customer-centric, global leader in the hygiene and cleaning industry, today announced the appointment of Mark S. Burgess as its new chief executive officer, effective December…

Toledo, Ohio — OptimalLED Inc. is growing as it adds new lighting representatives and lighting manufacturers to its already impressive lineup. Founded in 2008, the Toledo, Ohio-based lighting company has…

Raleigh, N.C. — Golden Corral, the nation’s largest grill-buffet chain, has hired restaurant industry veteran Van Ingram as vice president of franchise development. He joins the company from Taco John’s.

Los Angeles — Kitchen United, a Los Angeles-based virtual restaurant provider, is opening its next kitchen center in Chicago’s River North neighborhood — its first location outside of California. Kitchen…

Milwaukee, Wis. — Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation, has hired Greg Creighton to the newly-created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. Previously, he served as…

Memphis, Tenn. — Terminix Commercial, a division of ServiceMaster, has released its first-ever Pest Perceptions Report, an in-depth study of the pest problems businesses such as hotels, restaurants, retailers and…

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Vixxo, a facilities management leader focused on providing a seamless, intuitive experience for a vast portfolio of brands across the United States and Canada, will provide facilities…

Toronto — DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse has launched a shop-in-shop boutique called ‘What's the Occasion?’ to deliver a unique, year-round destination for special-event shopping. The concept opened in the greater…

Charlotte, N.C. — Bojangles’, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Company, L.P. in an all-cash transaction. Bojangles’ stockholders…

San Francisco — On October 23, 2018, Southern California-inspired Vuori Clothing opened its latest brick-and-mortar store at 2070 Union St. in San Francisco. Vuori's expansion to San Francisco follows tremendous…

Neuhausen, Switzerland — Tyco Retail Solutions has been recognized for its innovation and technology leadership in developing and delivering a portfolio of RFID-enabled solutions, providing retailers with real-time in-store visibility…

Kansas City, Mo. — Service Management Group (SMG), a global customer experience, employee engagement and brand research partner to more than 500 brands, has partnered with leading book retailer Books-A-Million.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Claire's Stores, Inc. has successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 as the company's court-confirmed plan of reorganization went into effect on October…

Charlotte, N.C. — Diversey, a customer-centric global leader in the hygiene and cleaning industry, plans a transition of executive responsibilities. Dr. Ilham Kadri will resign from her position as Diversey’s…

Dallas — CEC Entertainment, Inc., a nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment, has appointed Mahesh Sadarangani to president of Peter Piper Pizza, effective immediately. Sadarangani joins a strong…

North Canton, Ohio — Diebold Nixdorf has appointed Jeffrey Rutherford as interim chief financial officer, effective immediately. He replaces Chris Chapman, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

Denver — Restoration Management Company, a California-based restoration services company, has opened its 13th location in Littleton, Colo. The expansion is a direct result of the tremendous growth Restoration Management…

Lexington, Ky. — Fazoli's has signed two multi-unit development agreements for eight new locations in Georgia and Arkansas; additionally, the company has welcomed franchise and foodservice veteran Kathy Davidson as…

Denver — Perfumania Holdings, Inc., a leading retailer and destination for designer fragrances, has launched a new concept store. Located inside the newly constructed Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton, Colo…

Minneapolis — On September 21, 2018, Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf® opened its first Minnesota location in Brooklyn Center in Minneapolis. The new three-level, 65,000-square-foot venue is the company's 46th…

Davie, Fla. — Energy Control Consultants, Inc., a leading provider of building management systems to the retail industry, has joined ServiceChannel's solution partner ecosystem to provide building control system integration…

Nashville, Tenn. — Kirkland's, Inc. is strengthening its senior management team with the addition of Steve "Woody" Woodward as chief executive officer. Woodward, who is currently president and chief merchant…

Frederick, Md. — Roy Rogers® Restaurants has signed an agreement with Burger Brothers Restaurant Group, a multi-brand franchise developer with locations throughout Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens, to open seven…

Chicago — SMS Assist, one of Chicago’s fastest-growing technology companies, has opened a second area office in suburban Naperville, Ill. The expansion will allow SMS Assist, based in downtown Chicago…

Grand Rapid, Mich. — On August 27, 2018, Meijer opened a newly-designed convenience store and gas station adjacent to the retailer's Grand Rapids, Mich.-based headquarters. The new 5,500-square-foot convenience store…

Morristown, N.J. — Primo Hoagies, the Philadelphia-born Italian specialty sandwich franchise, has signed an agreement with Christopher Amico for the North Jersey area. The new hoagie franchise location will be…

Atlanta — According to its new CEO, Mike Rotondo, Edible Arrangements® plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Atlanta. Edible will maintain a small office in Wallingford, Conn., with approximately…

New York City — The L'OCCITANE Group, a leading natural cosmetics manufacturer and retailer, continues to redefine in-store shopping experience by opening a brand new L'OCCITANE en Provence concept store…

Cleveland — Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. has earned three significant sustainability recognitions from prominent organizations. Along with other real estate companies committed to green development and management, Forest City…

Atlanta — McAlister's Deli® is rolling out a new prototype restaurant in Atlanta this September that will be accompanied by a deeper, more community-centric brand positioning that guests can experience…

Orlando, Fla. — Sol Shades is now open at Orlando International Airport. The api(+) design team designed this brand new concept, continuing its relationship with national airport retailer Stellar Partners.

Seattle — Leading fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. has hired Edmond Mesrobian as chief technology officer (CTO). In this role, Mesrobian will help Nordstrom continue to bolster its strategy of leveraging…

Atlanta — Saladworks, the nation's leading salad-centric franchise brand, has opened its first Atlanta-area location, with extensive plans to develop the market, perhaps with at least 20 locations. Atlanta-area markets…